Celebrity gamblers. They're just like us. But with much more money.
Former NBA star and TNT commentator Charles Barkley went on The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday and relived his worst betting beat of the last few years.
Barkley had $100,000 on the Falcons in the Super Bowl against the Patriots, a game Atlanta famously led 28-3 in the third quarter before losing in overtime. Several weeks ago, he admitted on Inside the NBA that he "lost a fortune" on that Super Bowl before calling Atlanta's loss to the Cowboys in Week 2 of the 2020 season an even bigger choke job.
The underdog Falcons (who were available anywhere from +3 to +4.5) didn't cover the spread in Super Bowl LI because New England scored a touchdown in OT to seal it. Barkley didn't say whether he took Atlanta straight-up or against the spread.
Charles Barkley lost $100,000 when the Falcons lost their 28-3 lead to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI. pic.twitter.com/1dDBxqolcf
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) October 7, 2020
Barkley's discourse on that game is relatable — he was effectively celebrating at halftime before a friend reminded him in the third quarter that the Falcons had begun playing not to lose, instead of trying to put the game away.
Barkley has been upfront about his gambling habits before, saying 13 years ago that he had lost $10 million in his lifetime from sports betting, casino games and other gambling avenues.
"It's a stupid, bad habit. I have a problem," Barkley told the Associated Press in 2007. "But the problem is when you can't afford it. I can afford to gamble. I didn't kill myself when I lost two and half million dollars. I like to gamble and I'm not going to quit."
